CUET UG 2026: NTA Allots 96.6% Candidates their Preferred City; Re-allocation for 3.4% Candidates

Content Writer | Updated On - May 6, 2026

The National Testing Agency has allotted examination cities to 96.6% of 15,68,866 CUET-UG 2026 candidates within their preferences, with 79% receiving their first choice.

CUET UG 2026 NTA Allots 96 Precent Candidates Their Preferred City

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on May 5, 2026, that 96.6% of registered CUET-UG 2026 candidates have been successfully allotted examination cities within their stated preferences. Of the 15,68,866 candidates registered for this computer-based test, 79% secured their first choice of city, demonstrating effective allocation despite unprecedented scale.

The remaining 3.4% of candidates, who could not be accommodated due to capacity constraints in high-demand locations, can now access a re-allocation window at cuet.nta.nic.in to select from vacant slots on a first-come-first-serve basis. This re-allocation facility addresses logistical challenges while maintaining examination integrity across 35 nationwide shifts.

Critical Dates for CUET-UG 2026 Candidates

Event	Date
Re-allocation Window Opens	May 5, 2026
Re-allocation Window Closes	May 7, 2026
CUET-UG 2026 Examination Begins	May 11, 2026
CUET-UG 2026 Examination Ends	May 31, 2026

The examination's unprecedented scale reflects diverse academic interests across India's candidate pool. Candidates opted for an average of 4.31 subjects, with 869,959 candidates selecting all five available subjects and only 11,140 choosing a single subject. The distribution reveals that 363,096 candidates selected four subjects, 293,660 selected three subjects, and 31,011 selected two subjects. This variability in subject combinations- spanning 12,906 distinct patterns- necessitated sophisticated allocation algorithms to match candidates with appropriate test centres and shifts.

Three states account for approximately 43% of total registrations, creating significant logistical pressure on existing computer-based testing infrastructure. Uttar Pradesh alone registered 385,923 candidates, followed by Bihar with 144,269 and Delhi with 144,160 candidates, collectively generating 29,93,554 effective test instances across 9,922 subject combinations.

Heavy Registrations in UP, Bihar and Delhi Increase CBT Pressure

Available CBT facilities in these high-demand states, while substantial, proved finite when concentrated demand intersected with specific city-subject-shift combinations. NTA's allocation process required balancing candidate preferences against infrastructure capacity while adhering to strict examination integrity standards and secure facility requirements.

How to Apply for Re-allocation and Next Steps?

The primary allocation successfully accommodated 96.6% of candidates within their stated city preferences, with 79% receiving their exact first choice. Candidates allotted centres outside their preferences can now log into the NTA portal to select from available vacant slots in alternate cities on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The re-allocation window, opened May 5, 2026, remains active until May 7, 2026, requiring candidates to act promptly as slots fill rapidly. NTA's helpdesk at 011-40759000 and [email protected] provides support for candidates requiring assistance with the re-allocation process.

Candidates must carefully verify their allotted examination city, centre, date, and shift as mentioned on their admit card before finalizing travel arrangements. Those seeking re-allocation should visit https://cuet.nta.nic.in at the earliest opportunity, as available slots operate on a first-come-first-serve basis and may deplete quickly.

Candidates should make travel and accommodation arrangements well in advance to avoid last-minute inconvenience and ensure timely arrival at their assigned centre. Reaching the examination centre well before the reporting time is essential to avoid any procedural delays or complications on examination day.

The re-allocation window provides affected candidates a critical opportunity to secure examination slots closer to their preferred locations, reducing travel burden and logistical stress. Candidates who successfully reallocate will receive updated admit cards reflecting their new examination city, date, and shift details. Education experts recommend that candidates prioritize re-allocation immediately upon notification, as high demand for popular cities may exhaust available slots within hours. Proper planning and early action during this window can significantly enhance candidates' examination experience and reduce unnecessary travel-related complications.

Also Read:

Subscribe to Collegedunia to get the latest news and updates –